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18
Jaynee
Sadie was in baby heaven. As I got to know Maddy and Emilee, I kept a close eye on my girl. She was on the floor with Dante and Birdie, who were in bouncy seats. Sadie cooed and touched their hands, making them smile and coo back. It warmed my heart to see her with them. It also made me sad. She’d asked for a baby brother or sister a while back. I imagined she’d start up about it again. I wasn’t looking forward to that conversation.
Maddy told me about a single mom who was looking for a roommate. Karma was her name, and her daughter, Nova, was six. The timing of it was ideal for putting some distance between Zander, me, and Sadie. I should be thrilled about it. I’d been relying too much on him. It wasn’t at all like me to depend on anyone other than myself. Yet I’d hesitated and told Maddy I’d let her know.
“I’ve never been to the ocean.” Emilee sighed dreamily. “Dodge and I want to take a tropical vacation someday. I bet living by the beach will be amazing.”
“I went to Fort Lauderdale for spring break with Tara when we were in college. It’s a wild scene out there. Not really my thing.” Maddy smiled, but I sensed something bothered her.
“After living in the desert, blue waters as far as the eye can see sounds lovely,” I told them. “Plus, it’s where Sadie asked to go.”
“What’s your plan?” Maddy was a lot more talkative than Emilee. I liked them both, along with Tina and Eve. I just needed to be careful. It made no sense to develop friendships with these ladies when I’d be moving soon.
“Zander said he’d give me a job. I’ll work until I’ve saved up enough money, then we’ll move.”
Emilee tittered. “Lynx doesn’t look like a Zander to me.”
“I like it, though I never knew his name until today,” Maddy added.
“That’s so strange to me,” I admitted. “Why wouldn’t you know each other’s birth names?”
“It’s just the way it is.” Maddy shrugged. “The Knights are very private. Even my husband only lets me call him by his real name when we’re alone.”
“Doesn’t that bother you?” I didn’t understand this strange world I’d entered. “I mean, to be told what to do?”
“Not at all. It makes me feel special, like I’m the most important person in his life because he’s gifted me his real name.”
Emilee nodded. “Same. Although I’ve called Dodge Danny from the start, most people only know him by Dodge.”
A blonde woman I hadn’t seen before entered the nursery. Crap, she was stunning.
“Hey, Libby.” Maddy waved. “Come and meet Lynx’s friend, Jaynee.”
I issued the blonde bombshell a smile. “Hi.”
“Nice to meet you.” Libby sat in a chair beside us. “Lynx’s friend, you say?” She looked at Maddy strangely, then cut her gaze to me.
“Yes, and that cutie with the babies is Sadie, Jaynee’s little girl.” Maddy nodded behind Libby to where the kids were.
Sadie grinned but didn’t take her eyes off the babies. They were enamored with her as much as she was with them.
“Well, I guess the kittens had nothing to worry about. I was looking for you to ask about the woman in Lynx’s bed.” Libby snorted. “My girls were up in arms about her being in the club.”
“What’s a kitten, and why would they be upset with me being here?” This must have to do with Amber, the pixie who’d barged into Zander’s room earlier.
“Oh, please.” Maddy waved off Libby. “Your girls need to realize that one day their services won’t be needed once all the guys claim a woman.”
“Agreed.” Emilee nodded. “Hopefully sooner than later.”
Libby winced. “Ouch.”
The tension in our little circle rose rapidly. Instead of repeating my question, I kept my mouth shut as I had in the dressing room at Dirty Dick’s. The dancers always fought about something. I wanted no part of it, just like now.
“Don’t be hurt, Lib.” Maddy reached for her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “We love you. It’s the other girls we’d like to see leave.”
Libby sighed. “Well, there’s one person who I’m sure would like to see me gone.”
